At the Cannes Film Festival, a film titled “The Apprentice” about former U.S. President Donald Trump in the 1980s premiered, sparking a backlash from his reelection campaign. The campaign spokesperson called the film “pure fiction” and stated that legal action will be taken to address the false assertions made by the filmmakers. The film stars Sebastian Stan as Trump and depicts his relationship with Roy Cohn, a defense attorney who was a key figure in U.S. politics in the 1950s. Cohn is portrayed as a mentor to Trump, teaching him the ruthlessness of New York City politics and business.
Despite being labeled as inspired by true events, the film portrays Trump’s interactions with Cohn as a Faustian bargain that guided his success in business and later in politics. The depiction of a scene where Trump is shown raping his wife, Ivana Trump, raises controversy, especially given Ivana Trump’s previous statements. The film is positioned as a potentially explosive drama, with scenes that could impact the ongoing U.S. presidential election. While it made its debut at Cannes, the film is not yet scheduled for release.
After the premiere, the director of “The Apprentice,” Ali Abbasi, addressed the audience at Cannes, emphasizing the need for movies to be relevant and political in the current climate of rising fascism. Abbasi pointed to various conflicts around the world and warned of challenging times ahead, urging people to speak out and not turn a blind eye to the storm that is coming. The film’s premiere coincided with Trump’s hush money trial in New York, adding to the political context surrounding the movie.Abbasi’s previous film also depicted dark themes, and his statement at Cannes suggests his intention to provoke thought and discussion through his work.
